I wish to visit the Philippines in the next few days. Could you please provide me with some useful general information on your country?

Time zone:

GMT plus 8 hours.

Getting there:

Manila, Cebu, Davao, Subic, Clark and Laoag are the international gateways. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila is the premier gateway. Cebu-Mactan International Airport (MIA) in Cebu handles regular flights from Japan, Singapore and Australia as well as chartered flights from Hong Kong, the United States and other major travel markets. Davao International Airport in Davao handles regular flights from Indonesia and Singapore. Subic and Clark Airfields in Central Luzon service both chartered and cargo planes. Laoag International Airport in Ilocos Norte services regular flights from Taiwan.

Philippine Airlines (PAL), the Philippines' flag carrier, flies to 26 points in 20 countries. Together with Air Philippines and Cebu Pacific, PAL plies the air routes of principal cities and towns all over the country. Asian Spirit services the missionary routes.

The seaports bustle with the comings and goings of major cruise liners.

Entry regulations:

Visitors with valid passports may enter country and stay for a maximum of 21 days without visas provided they have tickets for their onward journey. However, stateless persons, nationals of the People's Republic of China, Cambodia, North Korea, Tonga, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq, Palestinians, and holders of Belize passports need to secure appropriate visas.

Likewise, Chinese nationals who are holders of Hongkong certificates of identity, and holders of Taiwan passports need special entry permits.

Travellers to the Philippines may check with the nearest Philippine embassy or consulate for more information.

Health regulations:

A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is required from all visitors coming from infected areas.

Airport facilities:

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport is 7 km. from the city center. Manila is also served by the Manila Domestic Airport, which is 1 km. from NAIA.

Cebu City in central Philippines has the Mactan International Airport, which is located 45 minutes from the city center.

Both internationals airports have adequate traveller facilities: duty-free shopping centers, souvenir shops, tourist information counters, hotel and travel agency representatives, and car rental services. The NAIA has banks, postal services, national and international direct dial telephone booths, a medical clinic and a baggage deposit area.

Customs regulations:

Visitors to the country may bring in the following items free of duty: 400 sticks of cigarettes or 2 tins of tobacco and two bottles of alcoholic beverages of not more than 1 litre each.

Foreign exchange regulations:

There is no limit to the amount of foreign exchange that can be brought by travellers into the country. Travellers leaving the country can change their pesos into foreign currency in the amount not exceeding US200.00- or any other equivalent foreign currency- in all authorised banks.

Porterage:

Upon arriving at the NAIA, visitors may avails of baggage carts for US$1.00 per cart. Porterage fee at the departure area is P10.00 per baggage. At the MIA, porters are paid P5.00 per baggage. Additional tipping is optional.

Airport transfers:

The Avis Car Company is the only accredited taxi service at the Arrival Area of the NAIA. These taxis may be hired on a coupon basis only. For visitors who prefer to use a hotel car, arrangements can be made with hotel representatives at the designated counters at the Arrival Lobby. All airports have counters for hotel transport and limousine service.

Local transport:

By air, Philippine Airlines (PAL) provides regular service to and from 45 towns and cities outside of Manila. Aerolift's 19-seater commuter planes service 4 destination in the country. Pacific Air services 4 destinations and provides charter flights to any point in the country.

By land, Philtranco connects Manila to Bicol in southern Luzon to Samar and Leyte in the Visayas and Davao in Mindanao.

In Manila, the fastest way of commuting is via the elevated Light Rail Transit (LRT). LRT connects Metro Manila's northern district of Monumento to the metropolis' southern district of Baclaran. The Metro Rail Transit (MRT) connects North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City.

Car hires and air-conditioned tourist buses are also available from licensed tour operators in major cities. Most hotels have a limousine service. Metered and fixed rate taxis generally cruise for hire. In hotel vicinities, they are on call. Jeepneys and buses offer an inexpensive way to get around most places. The popular means of transport in the suburbs is the tricycle (motorcycle with sidecar).

By sea, inter-island ships connect Manila to major ports. Ferry services connect the smaller islands.

Departure tax (Airport fees):

Departure tax is P550 (payable in Philippine pesos only) for all departing passengers for international destinations.

Climate:

March to May is hot and dry, with temperatures ranging from 22 to 32C. June to October is rainy. November to February is cool; temperatures range from 22 to 28C. Average humidity year-round is 77%.

What to wear:

Light casual clothes are recommended. Warmer garments are needed for trips to the mountain regions. When visiting churches and temples, shorts and scanty clothing must be avoided.

On formal occasions, a dinner jacket and tie may be worn, or perhaps the Philippine Barong Tagalog, the country's national costume. For ladies, long gowns or cocktail dresses may be worn.

Language:

Filipino is the national language. The Philippines is also the third largest English-speaking country in the world. Thus, English is widely spoken and is extensively used in business and government.

Business and banking hours:

Private and government offices are open either from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or from 9:00 a.m. to 6:pm, Mondays to Fridays. Some private companies hold office on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

Most shopping malls, department stores, and supermarkets are open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. There are 24-hour convenience stores and drugstores. Banks are open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays. Automated teller machines (ATMS) operate 24 hours.

Communications facilities:

The Philippines has modern and efficient communication services such as international direct dialling, cellphone sites, telex, facsimile, worldwide express delivery service, postal service, telegram service and Internet and e-mail facilities.

Most national dailies are in English. There are five commercial-run, one government-run and one religious-run national television stations. Cable TV is available in many hotels. Foreign publications are sold at major hotels, malls and bookstores in Metro Manila and key cities.

Currency:

The unit of currency is the Philippine peso, divided into 100 centavos. Banknotes come in P1000s, P500s, P100s, P50s, P10s, and P5s. The coins are in 1c, 5c, 25c, 50c, P1.00, and P5.00.

Most foreign currencies can be easily exchanged at banks, hotels, and authorised foreign exchange dealers. Outside Manila, the use of Philippine pesos for payments is preferred. Credit cards are accepted at major hotels, resorts, shops and restaurant.

Credit cards:

International credit cards such as Visa, Diners Club, Bank Americard, Mastercard and American Express are accepted in major establishments in and outside of Manila.

Accommodations:

In Metro Manila, key cities and major towns throughout the country, a wide selection of de luxe, standard, economy and pension-type accommodations is available. In island destinations, there is a proliferation of resorts ranging from "AAA", "AA" and "A" to "SIR" (special interest resort).

The tourism department has a Homestay Program in 15 destinations outside Manila. The program offers visitors the comfort of modest homes and in insight into Philippine life.

Dining charges and tipping:

A Government Tax ranging from 12-13.5% is charged by most hotels and restaurants. A 10% service charge is also normally included.

Tipping is generally expected for any services. The standard practice is 10% of the total bill. However, most hotels and restaurants include a 10% service charge, making additional tipping optional.

Duty-free shopping:

Duty-free shops are located at the departure and transit areas of the NAIA in Manila and the MIA in Cebu. Just across the NAIA is the Duty-Fee Fiesta Shopping Center. It is the country's largest duty-free outlet which carries quality items from international imports to selected Philippine export products.

Electricity:

Electricity is 220 volts, 60 cycles. Most hotels in Metro Manila have 110 and 220 voltage outlets.

Tours and Special Interest Activities:

Information on tour packages, itineraries, accommodations and special interest activities like golfing, game-fishing, diving and aquasports, trekking, spelunking and safari trips may be obtained from Department of Tourism-accredited travel agents and operators or from the Tourism Information Center located at the ground floor of the DOT Building in Rizal Park, Manila (tel: 632 524-2384/524-1703).

Public Holidays:

• New Years' Day - January 01
• EDSA People Power Revolution - February 24
• Araw ng Kagitingan - April 09
• Maundy Thursday and Good Friday (Moveable)
• Labor Day - May 01
• Independence Day - June 12
• National Heroes' Day last Sunday of August
• All Saints Day - November 01
• Bonifacio Day - November 30
• Christmas Day - December 25
• Rizal Day - December 30

I wish to visit the Philippines for at least one month and would like to hire a rental car for the purpose of travelling to tourism areas. Do I need to have an international driver's license?

A foreign national travelling to the Philippines for less than 90 days is not required to have an international drivers license so long as he is holding a valid foreign drivers license duly issued by his state of origin.

Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code states, among others, that: "Bona fide tourists and similar transients who are duly licensed to operate motor vehicles in their respective countries may be allowed to operate motor vehicles during but not after 90 days of their sojourn in the Philippines."

After 90 days a tourist or transient desiring to operate motor vehicles shall apply for a Philippines driver's license and must present his valid original foreign license.

According to a car rental association based in Metro Manila, a foreign national who has an international driver's license or permit can rent a self-drive car for a period not exceeding 90 days. If his license was issued by his country of origin, he needs a permit or authorisation to drive from the Land Transportation Office.

According to one rent-a-car company, a foreign national is allowed to rent a self-drive car for a 90-day period if his driver's license issued in his country of origin is English. If the driver's license is in any other language, he will be required an international driver's license or a permit.

Is it safe for me to travel to the Philippines?

In the wake of the reported kidnappings in Metro Manila and the Abu Sayyaf hostage-taking, the Department of Tourism issued the following travel advisory:

Travel in the Philippines continues to be safe, peaceful, and orderly. The Philippines remains an ideal vacation for any tourist. Air, land and sea transport facilities are operating normally. Hotels are receiving usual bookings. Offices are open, shopping malls are full, amusement parks are filled with vacationing children, movie houses and theatres are packed and airlines are on a normal schedule.

Source: Websites of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Philippine Convention and Visitors Convention (PCVC)